Tanning age limits set by American Academy of Pediatrics

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDFeb 28 2011

The American Academy of Pediatrics is now setting an age limit under which people cannot avail the services at a tanning salon. A salon in the Poconos said they already have strict rules in place. Paradise Tanning in Tannersville and East Stroudsburg have a set of rules they follow when it comes to allowing young people to tan. Most salons agree that preventing under age tanning is the parents’ responsibility.

The American Academy of Pediatrics announced it is joining the fight with the American Medical Association and other groups to ban children ages 17 and under from going to a tanning salon. They cite the rates of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, continue to rise, even in young people.

According to chief of pediatrics at Pocono Medical Center said what children do not realize is the chances of getting skin cancer increases when you start tanning young. Dr. Sushil Mody said, “While it’s not common in childhood, it can be the most common form of cancer in your 20s and 30s and patients risks stem from sun exposure early in life.”

Paradise Tanning in Tannersville has a different set of rules that require parent involvement, something they said is important when children expose themselves to UVA and UVB rays. Lindsey Arminio of Paradise Tanning said, “Any age below 14 is not allowed. Age 14 to 16 you need a parent signature. The parent needs to be here with the child. They need to sign off on a release form their child is allowed to tan and they also need to be here every time they want to tan.”

Tanning beds also expose people to ultraviolet radiation. Doctors recommend children protect themselves from the sun at an early age. This could be done by wearing protective clothing, hats, staying out of the sun during its peak from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wear sunscreen and sunglasses.